The Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers are set to clash in the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three seasons.
Reflecting on their 2023 playoff encounter, which Florida swept en route to their first of two consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances, one might assume it was a lopsided contest. However, that was far from the case. Every game – from the series opener requiring quadruple overtime to a dramatic Game 4 winner scored with only 4.9 seconds left – was decided by a single goal, a pivotal moment that favored the Panthers.
Can the defending champions return to the final stage once more? They demonstrated strong form in Round 1, quickly dispatching the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 4-1 series victory. They then needed the full seven games to overcome the Atlantic Division-leading Toronto Maple Leafs, securing the series with a dominant Game 7 performance.
The word “dominant” also aptly describes the Hurricanes` playoff journey thus far, even if their possession-heavy style sometimes draws less flattering commentary. Carolina`s formidable defense and exceptional special teams (their penalty kill, in particular, is a significant momentum disruptor) combined with the highest shot volume through two rounds saw them eliminate the Eastern Conference`s top seed, the Washington Capitals, in five games, following a similar five-game victory over the New Jersey Devils in Round 1.
Despite several recent promising playoff runs, Carolina`s attempts to return to the Stanley Cup Final stage since winning it all in 2006 have been unsuccessful.
Since lifting the franchise`s first-ever Stanley Cup nearly two decades ago, the Hurricanes have reached the Eastern Conference Final three times but failed to win a single game in any appearance. They were swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, shut out against the Boston Bruins ten years later, and experienced the same fate against the Panthers in 2023.
Will this year be different for Carolina, or will Florida make it three consecutive trips to the Cup Final?
Head-to-Head Records (Regular Season)
Hurricanes: 1-2-0
Panthers: 2-1-0
PLAYOFF TEAM STATS
ADVANCED STATS
Playoff 5-on-5 numbers via Natural Stat Trick
Carolina’s Unsung Hero: Sean Walker
When Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky acquired defenseman Sean Walker last July on a five-year, $18-million contract, following the departures of key blueliners Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei, he highlighted Walker as someone whose “offensive abilities are a great fit for our style of play.” He was undeniably correct. Walker has seamlessly integrated into Carolina`s system from the outset, and while his steady play might not often land him on highlight reels, he`s stepping up at the most crucial juncture.
After providing quiet defensive stability against the Devils in Round 1, Walker showcased his offensive capabilities more against Washington, earning his first career playoff points with a goal and an assist in Game 4, and then setting up Andrei Svechnikov`s series-clinching goal in Game 5. He`s adaptable to various roles and has been particularly effective on the penalty kill, especially after Jalen Chatfield`s injury.
Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour increasingly relied on his third-pair defenseman as the second-round series progressed, with Walker exceeding 20 minutes of ice time in Games 3 and 5, peaking at 23 minutes in the decisive fifth game.
Florida’s Unsung Hero: Nate Schmidt
Florida`s defense also features significant depth. Like Carolina, the Panthers` blue line saw notable changes in the off-season with key players like Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson leaving. General Manager Bill Zito`s reputation for finding value signings and helping them excel was once again put to the test, and Nate Schmidt`s performance stands as another success story.
Schmidt joined the Panthers last summer on a one-year, $800,000 deal after being bought out by the Jets. He has proven to be a reliable addition throughout the season, contributing at both even strength and on the power play. He provided important early offense in Round 1 against Tampa Bay, scoring three goals in two games, and contributed four assists over seven games against Toronto. While his overall statistics might not be spectacular, his consistent presence and timely offensive contributions, coupled with the physical element Dmitry Kulikov brings to the third pairing, make him a valuable asset whose skills could draw more attention as Florida continues their playoff run.
